Salivary and gastric secretions in patients with tropical sprue.

Salivary secretions on mechanical stimulation with forced spitting method and on chemical simulation with 10% citric acid and gastric acid secretions on maximal histamine stimulation were studied in 20 adults with tropical sprue and 20 adult control subjects. It was observed that the chemical method provided a better stimulus than the mechanical one in both groups. The salivary flow rates as well as salivary amylase, pH, sodium and potassium were similar in both groups. Tropical sprue patients, however, had significantly lower maximal acid output as compared to normals. It was concluded that, although tropical sprue patients are known to have widespread damage to alimentary tract mucosa, salivary glands do not seem to be involved.